History becomes exciting when Rick Sowash brings his "Heroes of Ohio" to schools around the state. From Tecumseh and Johnny Appleseed, to the Wright Brothers, Thomas Edison, Annie Oakley and Henry Heimlich (pictured here), Rick Sowash thrills students with stories of their lives and accomplishments.

When Rick taped a program for Write Now, Ohio, he talked about these heroes and why he wrote their stories. Fourth-grade students from Bethany School in the Princeton School District joined Rick for the program. They wore costumes for "Heroes of Ohio" and asked Rick questions about his book and how he writes. As an added treat, Dr. Henry Heimlich joined Rick in the studio, giving students an opportunity to meet and talk with a real Ohio Hero!

The 30-minute program aired on CET on Tuesday, December 3, 2002, at 11am. It is available to watch on this website - check out the Learning Services videos - or teachers throughout southwestern Ohio can request a Dial Access showing of Write Now, Ohio by calling Diane Smiley at (513) 345-6545. Dial Access requests can also be made online.

To get a dub of the program, teachers can call Sarah Horstmann at (513) 345-6566 or Diane Smiley at (513) 381-4033, ext. 327. Dub order information is also available on page 6 of the CET Education and Technology Resource Catalog. The order form can be photocopied from the print catalog or downloaded from the website. The completed order form may then be faxed or mailed to the attention of Sarah or me. Fax and mail information is on the website and in the catalog.

Teachers are invited to show the program in their classrooms and use the lesson prepared by Rick and featured on his website: www.sowash.com.

Teachers can also improve their students writing skills by encouraging their students to tape part in the Ohio Writing Contest.